Hike It Up!
How better to spend a crisp fall day than hiking some of Middle Tennessee’s gorgeous trails? Hiking is easily accessible and is as adventurous as the routes you choose. Get outside this month, and enjoy November’s crisp, cool air and beautiful fall foliage.
The Benefits
Hiking is fantastic exercise, strengthening all the leg muscles, especially the quads and calves. Some things you may not have known? Hiking can stem heart disease and decrease hypertension as well as cholesterol levels while increasing your high-density lipoprotein, or HDL (aka the good cholesterol). Hiking is also proven to slow the aging process and prevent the aging of the immune system. Hiking also slows and can help prevent osteoporosis by improving bone density. It improves and maintains mental health while improving the air we breathe by replacing short car trips with non-polluting foot travel.
Equipment and Pre-hike Prep
The great thing about hiking is that all you really need is a good pair of shoes. Depending on the terrain, you can choose either a low-top hiking shoe or an over-the-ankle boot. The boot is sturdier and recommended for rocky terrain where your ankles might otherwise be unstable. The low top is lighter, easier to break-in, and ideal for typical day hikes around Middle Tennessee. Waterproof shoes are not necessary unless you plan to hike in rain or through creeks. As you add miles, consider adding a hiking pole to your equipment list. A pole will help take the weight off of your knees on down hills and provides more stability on the terrain. If you plan to hike longer than an hour, bring along some water and snacks, too — you can burn 480 calories per hour hiking, so replenishing your nutrients is a must!
For longer hikes, preparation is key. Equipment wise, it’s a good idea to bring along a rain jacket and compass. Some other important “just in case” safety items to bring along include a flashlight or headlamp, pocket knife, lighter or matches in waterproof container, first aid kit, emergency blanket, map in plastic bag, extra clothing, and extra water or a water filter. Always review trail maps ahead of time to get comfortable with the route you’ll be taking. And make sure you alert someone to your whereabouts — your anticipated hiking route and return time. Hiking is much slower than running or even walking on pavement, so plan for an average pace of one to two miles per hour.
With a little planning, hiking guarantees a trail-load of enjoyment, so get out and savor all that Middle Tennessee has to offer.
Where to Go?
Nashville has many nearby trails where you can enjoy hiking in a natural setting with sights, sounds, and smells of the wilderness. Radnor Lake, Warner Parks, Beaman Park, and Bells Bend are lovely areas just minutes from downtown. For longer day hikes, you can head to the Great Smoky Mountains, or you can check out Fiery Gizzard on Monteagle Mountain, Virgin Falls on the Cumberland Plateau, or Walls of Jericho on the border of Tennessee and Alabama.
Team Green Adventures has weekend day hikes every month and weeknights seasonally. Find an upcoming outing on the new Team Green calendar at TeamGreenAdventures.com.
